Porous structure of active carbon and ASC whetlerites produced therefrom

Abstract

A set of samples, including active carbon and ASC-whetlerites, both in their original form and after extraction, all with an identical carbonaceous skeleton, was investigated to specify the porous structure and the deposition of the impregnant. Mercury porosimetry and adsorption of nitrogen and carbon dioxide were used for this purpose. The thickness of the deposited layer increases with pore radius. In macropores of r ~ 1000 nm with the largest relative frequency, the thickness of the impregnant is about 120 nm. The deposit may somewhat remove unevenness in the pore walls, but, on the other hand, it creates a secondary pore structure in macropores, where the thickness of the deposit is high enough. Also a partial clogging of small pores takes place.